Happy as a clam. A picture is worth a thousand words. Every dog has its day. A penny saved is a penny earned. What in the world do these even mean?! Unless you are familiar with these kinds of phrases, they probably sound a bit silly, probably don’t make a whole lot of sense, and might even be confusing. Sayings like these can be idioms, like we talked about last week. Sometimes, though, they are known as proverbs: short sayings meant to convey some kind of moral or life lesson.
As adults, we are likely pretty familiar with common proverbs and idioms. We hear them and say them without really thinking twice about it; we just know what they mean because we’ve known them for so long. For many of our students, however, these kinds of phrases are unfamiliar, and may sound like gibberish to them.
Just like everything else, these must be learned. We can’t expect our students to understand them and know what they mean if we don’t expose them to proverbs and other phrases. To help you with this, I’ve created a simple worksheet you can use. On it, you will find a list of the beginning half of several proverbs or idioms, followed by a blank line. After reading the first half of the saying, students can write what they think the rest of the saying is. No doubt you’ll get some funny answers, but that’s the fun of it!
** This printable is for personal or classroom use only. Do not resell, repost, or claim as your own. **
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been talking about the 7 Cs of education. Each ‘C’ covers a concept or method intended to engage students and encourage new ways of learning, thinking, and problem solving. So far, we’ve covered critical thinking and creativity. Both of these methods are great ways to get students thinking on their own. They can also both be great tools for partner or group learning, especially when combined with today’s ‘C’: Collaboration.
Collaboration, by definition, is the process of sharing knowledge, skills, ideas, and resources to achieve a shared goal or outcome. As each member of the team contributes, problems are solved and knowledge is gained. Teachers are familiar with the concept of collaboration; most schools today have implemented some form of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), where teachers can work together to share ideas, ask for help, offer advice, encourage one another, and find ways to work toward a common goal. So while this concept may come easily to us as teachers, it may not come as easily to some of our students. Not everyone loves to work with other people. Sometimes, we get students who don’t keep an open mind and come with a “my way or the highway” kind of attitude, which can make accepting others’ ideas tricky. However, helping students learn to work together to come up with solutions is worth the time it takes– collaboration is a great skill to have as an adult, and is one that is used often in the workplace as well as in other settings.
Inviting students to collaborate with one another gives them an opportunity to express their opinions, share their knowledge, contribute, be part of a team, and learn from each other. Collaborating can encourage critical thinking and creativity in really neat ways. One idea thought up by one student can spark an idea in another, which can then inspire another student to come up with a solution, and so on. It’s like a ripple in water– one small thing can continue on and get bigger as it goes. Since each person has their own individual way of addressing problems and thinking through things, each perspective is useful. Oftentimes, one student in a group will present an idea that no one else had thought of previously. This can sometimes also help struggling or confused students understand the problem better– sometimes all it takes for someone to understand is to have another person explain it in a new way.
It is inevitable that we will have students who refuse to collaborate because, as mentioned previously, they don’t want to see any other opinions besides their own. On the other hand, we will have students that are hesitant to participate in group collaboration because they are shy, or perhaps they don’t feel like their ideas are valuable or worth sharing. It could also be that they are afraid of sounding silly or stupid to their peers. And, boy, do I get that! I was that quiet, shy student who didn’t like to voice her opinion. But as teachers, we must encourage our students to share their ideas and learn from each other. If a student is not comfortable verbalizing their thoughts, you might consider having everyone in the group write their ideas down (without attaching their name to it), then the group has the chance to hear from everyone.
One of the most powerful tools we can use in the classroom is collaboration. Students can learn so much from each other. We just need to remind them to do it!
A couple of weeks ago, I introduced the concept of using the 7 Cs of Education in your classroom. Last week, I talked about critical thinking, which is such a crucial skill not only within a classroom setting, but also in many other settings throughout life.
The second of the 7 Cs is creativity. Creativity can be daunting to some, and may feel very risky to a lot of kids. Even so, creative thinking is so important, and it’s absolutely worth pushing your students to try it. When presented with a problem or situation that needs solving, analyzing, or exploring, looking at it through a creative lens can generate some really unique, innovative ideas. Some kids come hardwired to think creatively, but many do not, and that’s okay! Keeping this in mind then, how do we teach and encourage this kind of thinking?
Truthfully, there are so many ways to promote creativity for every kind of learning style and every content area. Anytime we can get students to let go of black and white thinking is a big win and a step in the right direction toward creative thinking. Below you will find some ideas you can implement in your teaching. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to encourage creative thinking; every student is different, but all can think outside the box!
Encourage movement- physical activity can clear the brain of extra “noise”, which then leaves room for deeper, more creative approaches to solving problems. If possible, let kids move around outside. Movement + fresh air = amazing results!
Read! When kids read or are read to, they begin to see beyond their own space. Seeing characters in books facing similar situations as they do can encourage students to approach problems in new, creative ways.
Use mistakes and failures as ways to reframe thinking. Learn from the mistakes, take note of what did and did not work, and proceed with a fresh set of ideas. Mistakes aren’t an ending, but rather a chance to try again.
Use open ended questions to force students to push their thinking beyond yes/no answers. Asking “why” promotes deeper, more creative thinking.
Ask questions that allow students to use their imaginations. “What if” questions are really great for imaginative and creative thinking. Silly questions can also be great tools.
Let kids play on their own. Give them free time. When we step back and let their minds work on their own, you see amazing things start to happen. Sometimes the pressure of a hovering adult can suppress creative thinking. Removing that pressure can help kids feel more relaxed and free to be silly, imaginative, and creative.
Let students know that any idea is valuable, especially when in the beginning stages of solving a problem. If they feel like they can contribute their ideas no matter how “out there” they may seem, they are more likely to feel comfortable sharing with others.
Make your classroom a safe space for expression, where everyone feels valued and included. Creating a judgement-free zone is super important when creating a safe space.
Be flexible. Just because you’re the adult doesn’t mean that your idea or your way is the only idea or way. Be open to new ideas, and encourage your students to do the same.
Keep things fun! It’s hard to think creatively when there is pressure and criticism. Many kids will shut down when faced with strict, uptight rules and thinking.
Allow for students to work together. Combining brain power can lead to really great outcomes.
Some of the greatest solutions and ideas have come from creative thinking. As we encourage our students to think in creative ways, their minds begin to open up to all sorts of possibilities. A box goes from a cube of cardboard to a car, spaceship, shopping cart, lawn mower, doll house, or any other number of things. A blank piece of paper and a writing prompt can turn into a magnificent adventure or a mystery full of twists and turns. The options are endless when it comes to creative thinking!
Last week, I introduced the 7 Cs of education. Essentially, they are seven ways that students learn and process information that is taught to them. Since kids all learn in their own unique ways, each of these 7 Cs are equally important. Today we’ll start with the first on the list: Critical Thinking.
Thinking critically has many benefits, including increased problem solving ability, improved decision making, and increased curiosity. As students learn to be critical thinkers, they begin to think outside the box. This leads to more diverse, unique solutions and answers. Students start to think creatively as they expand their thinking beyond the obvious. They are able to analyze and evaluate a problem on a deeper level, which lends itself to making informed inferences, and eventually, unique solutions.
Critical thinking is a skill that is used long after students have completed formal education. Because of this, it’s important that students are taught how to think critically so that it becomes second nature. When they are faced with a problem or situation in adulthood, they will already have the tools they need to process possible solutions because of what they had been taught when they were younger. As adults, we know that problems will arise in the workplace, at home, and elsewhere. Knowing how to tackle problems and find solutions becomes an immeasurable skill as we encounter various situations.
There are many different ways that students can be taught to think critically. Allowing students to work in groups to solve problems can be a very effective way for students to combine their brain power to come up with creative, well thought out solutions. Activities like escape rooms, debates, role playing, case studies, scavenger hunts, and sequencing can encourage critical thinking.
As kids are given opportunities to think deeper, they begin to train their brains to look at problems and solutions through a different lens, and soon enough, critical thinking becomes second nature!
The world of education is anything but stagnant; it’s constantly changing, growing, improving, and moving. As we learn new techniques and methods, we adapt our teaching. When we realize some methods are outdated, we keep an open mind and try new things. As we become aware of new societal and cultural trends, expectations, and experiences, we use that information to better our teaching. This ever changing flow keeps us on our toes and helps our students receive the best possible education. Not only do we as educators change and adapt the way we present information, we also change the ways in which our students receive, process, and demonstrate their learning. While doing some research, I came across a concept I had never heard of, and was quite intrigued by: the 7 Cs in Education.
The 7 Cs concept outlines seven ways that our students can demonstrate what they have learned, and ways they can process what we teach. Each skill requires students to use a different way of gathering and processing information, thus promoting diverse thinking. The 7 Cs are as follows:
1- Critical Thinking
2- Creativity
3- Collaboration
4- Communication
5- Computer Literacy
6- Cross-cultural Understanding
7- Career and Life Skills
Each of these skills can benefit students immensely. They are relevant skills for everyday life, every subject, and are skills that they will use as they grow into adulthood. Since each skill can be discussed in greater depth, I think it would be beneficial to dive into each skill individually over the next little bit. Join me as we explore these seven areas of teaching and learning!
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “Two things are certain in life: death and taxes.” And while that’s true, I would add a third certainty: stress. Everyone will, at one point or another, experience stress in their lives. The level of severity might differ, but the existence of stressors is a given.
I wish I could say that stress only happens once you’re an adult, but that’s just not the case. Kids and teens are experiencing stress early on. As adults, we have had more time to figure out how to handle the various kinds of stresses that come into our lives. But for teens and kids, managing stress can be overwhelming when they don’t have knowledge of or access to proper stress management techniques. Teachers have a unique opportunity to be able to incorporate those kinds of skills and techniques into their curriculum, thus providing the rising generation with the tools they will need to manage the stress they encounter.
You may have a few techniques that you know work, but there are always more to learn and try. Below are some stress management techniques you might consider teaching your students.
Teach students to organize and prioritize their time. Show them how to use a planner or digital task tracker. When you feel more organized, tasks feel easier to take on.
Help students to learn and practice various breathing techniques for high stress moments.
Practice mindfulness as a class, then teach them to practice it individually.
Belly breathing– this helps to redirect their focus and calm their nervous systems.
Physical activity– movement does amazing things for the brain, and is a great way to release emotional energy.
Journaling- doing a brain dump is a great way for kids to get everything out that is stressing them so they feel like they can move forward.
Art- creating art is a great stress reliever! It’s a really good creative outlet that can help students refocus.
Encourage students to get a good night’s sleep. Solid sleep has amazing benefits in so many areas.
Teach students to use the 5-4-3-2-1 method: identify 5 things they can see, 4 things they can touch, 3 things they can hear, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they can taste. You can practice this together as a class and have students write their answers down, then as they get comfortable with the process, they can do it on their own.
Teach your class how to do progressive muscle relaxation as a way to calm down in stressful situations.
Do regular brain breaks during class time as a way to break up the time, get students moving, and to give their minds a break from the rigors of learning.
Kids of all ages can benefit from these stress management techniques. Providing kids with proper tools can help them tremendously, and can help them turn to healthy ways to manage stress rather than unhealthy ways.
We are a mere 10 days away from the deadline for our Build A Better Future Scholarship applications! We are eager to read submissions, and have enjoyed reading those that have come in already. As we get closer to the submission deadline, I’ve been sharing some application tips and reminders so your final submission can be as perfect as possible. You can see the last few reminders here, here, and here.
Today’s tip is to make sure you proofread your application before you hit that ‘submit’ button. Read over your application several times. Have someone else look it over– sometimes a fresh pair of eyes will catch errors that you might miss.
Make sure you are checking your application for the following things:
Spelling errors
Capitalization errors
Missed punctuation or unnecessary punctuation
Flow- be sure your paragraphs flow well, make sense, and are cohesive
Correct grammar
Email addresses and phone numbers are entered correctly
All photo and video links or uploads are viewable by outside sources
Answer the questions and prompts thoroughly, but make sure you don’t go over the allotted word count
Sentence structure– fix any run on sentences or incomplete sentences
Take the time to make your application reflect your hard work. Don’t rush through it. Will a misplaced comma or period disqualify you? No. Will a couple of misspelled words eliminate you from the running? No. But– applications that are polished and proofread do stand out, and we do notice the extra effort you’ve put in to make your submission as perfect as it can be. You’ve done so much work on your project already, so don’t skimp on the application!
As a reminder, final submissions are due no later than Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm, MST.
